DACS

georgedavid Inventory of the David Gordon George Papers, 1919-1976 and undated, bulk 1935-1965 Processed by: Fuad Naeem and Christian Ferney; machine-readable finding aid created by: Christian Ferney David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library Duke University Durham, N.C., USA

Aleph Number: 003225580

Machine-readable finding aid derived from XML authoring program. Date of source: October 2007Processed by Fuad Naeem and Christian Ferney, October 2007; finding aid encoded by Christian Ferney, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University, October 2007 Description is in English Finding aid was prepared using DACS and local Style Guide Inventory of the David Gordon George Papers, 1919-1976 and undated, bulk 1935-1965 David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library Duke University Durham, North Carolina 27708-0185 USA

Descriptive Summary David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University George, David Gordon David Gordon George Papers, 1919-1976 and undated, bulk 1935-1965 Material in English 6.9 Linear Feet 3400 Items For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog. Resident of Richmond, Va., socialist and grassroots political activist in his early life; founder of the Southern Electoral Reform League; later sided with conservatives such as Barry Goldwater and George Wallace. The David Gordon George Papers span the years 1919 to 1976, with the bulk of the collection dated between 1935 and 1965, and are organized into the Correspondence, Personal Files, Printed Materials and Writings, Photographic Materials, and Subject Files Series. The collection consists primarily of correspondence and files related to George's involvement in a variety of political and social movements, documenting his early involvement in grassroots socialist and leftist democratic organizing and electoral reform work, decades of involvement with national and regional labor organizations, and his late-life support of anti-communist and socially conservative politics, including segregationist platforms. His complex views on the political and social status of African Americans in the South, particularly in Virginia, are documented in his writings and correspondence. Among the organizations well-represented in the collection are the Southern Electoral Reform League, the Virginia Electoral Reform League, and the United States Information Service. The papers include correspondence with a wide spectrum of national political leaders, from Socialists (Norman Thomas and Victor Berger) to Democrats (Hubert Humphrey and Estes Kefauer) to Conservatives (George Wallace), as well as staff of diverse labor organizations and a number of Virginia politicians across a broad ideological spectrum. Acquired as part of the George Washington Flowers Collection of Southern Americana. Administrative Information Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

However, collection may contain materials to which the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibilities and Privacy Rights form applies. Patrons must sign this form before using this collection.

Also, all or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. Consequently, there may be a 24-hour delay in obtaining these materials.

Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library to use this collection.

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], David Gordon George Papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.

Provenance

The David Gordon George Papers were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library as a purchase in May 2003.

Processing Information

Processed by Christian Ferney and Fuad Naeem, October 2007

Encoded by Elizabeth Arnold, Christian Ferney, and Fuad Naeem, October 2007

Accession 2003-0085 is described in this finding aid.

Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS, EAD, NCEAD guidelines, and local Style Guide.

This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.

Biographical Note 1910 Apr. 5 David Gordon George born to David Graves George and Maria Murphy George in Danville, Virginia 1926-1928 Worked for Socialist Party in Virginia and New York 1927 Graduated from Chester High School, Chester, Virginia 1929-1930 Attended Rand School of Social Science, New York, New York 1934 Formally broke from Socialist Party 1936-1940 Worker on family farm in Beaverdam, Virginia, and freelance writer for newspapers in Richmond, Virginia 1939 Founded Southern Electoral Reform League 1939 Ran for Virginia House of Delegates seat as an independent 1941 Ran for primary for Virginia House of Delegates seat as a Democrat 1942-1945 Virginia Labor Relations Representative for War Production Board 1944-1945 Chairman, Richmond British Service Entertainment Committee 1945 Managed Moss A. Plunkett's gubernatorial campaign in Virginia 1946-1948 Lectured in Great Britain, initially with U.S. Information Agency 1950 Upper South Political Action Director for Textile Workers Union of America 1951-1953 Worked for Wage Stabilization Board in Richmond, Virginia 1954-1958 Involved in mineral exploration venture in Chihuahua, Mexico 1956 June 16 Married Ana Maria Delgado in Las Cruces, New Mexico 1957 Twin daughters Ana Elizabeth and Maria Linda George born 1959-1961 Worked as a labor representative as part of a United Textile Workers Union strike in Henderson, NC 1962 Application for employment with U.S. Foreign Service rejected to due concerns of Communist sympathies 1965-1969 Worked for United Planning Organization in Washington, DC 1970-1972 Worked as a teacher and administrator at Bermuda Academy, Hopewell, Virginia 1976 Died in Richmond, Virginia Collection Overview

The David Gordon George Papers span the years 1919 to 1976, with the bulk of the collection dated between 1935 and 1965, and are organized into the Correspondence, Personal Files, Printed Materials and Writings, Photographic Materials, and Subject Files Series. The collection consists primarily of correspondence and files related to George's involvement in a variety of political and social movements, documenting his early involvement in grassroots socialist and leftist democratic organizing and electoral reform work, decades of involvement with national and regional labor organizations, and his late-life support of anti-communist and socially conservative politics. His complex views on the political and social status of African Americans in the South, particularly in Virginia, are documented in his writings and correspondence. Among the organizations well-represented in the collection are the Southern Electoral Reform League, founded by George primarily to campaign against poll taxes, and the United States Information Service. The papers include files of correspondence with a wide spectrum of prominent national political leaders, from Socialists (Norman Thomas and Victor Berger) to Democrats (Hubert Humphrey and Estes Kefauer) to Conservatives (George Wallace), as well as staff of diverse labor organizations and a number of Virginia politicians across a broad ideological spectrum.

George's writings, including many editorials and letters to the editor, and correspondence reveal his complex and shifting allegiances to various reform organizations during particularly eventful decades for the labor movement in the U.S. His work for labor-related causes in different guises put him in at least tacit opposition to positions he had advocated earlier. He also offers often contradictory views on race, supporting local black politicians at one point but joining the segregationist Citizens Council later in his life. In addition, George's experiences during the McCarthy Era demonstrate the lasting professional consequences of the alleged Communist ties in his past.

Acquired as part of the George Washington Flowers Collection of Southern Americana.

Subject Headings

These are searchable subject entries for this collection. Performing a search on these subjects in the Duke University Libraries online catalog will bring up other related research materials.

George, David Gordon, 1910-1976. Berger, Victor L., 1860-1929. Humphrey, Hubert H. (Hubert Horatio), 1911-1978. Kefauver, Estes, 1903-1963. Wallace, George C. (George Corley), 1919-1998. Thomas, Norman, 1884-1968. Southern Electoral Reform League. United States Information Agency. African Americans--Virginia. Anti-communist movements--United States. Conservatism--United States. Conservatism--United States--History. Conservatism--Southern States. Conservatism--Southern States--History. Election law--United States. Elections--United States. Elections--Virginia. Socialist parties--United States. Labor and laboring classes--Southern States. Labor--United States. Labor unions--Southern States. Labor unions--United States--1930-1970. Political activists--Southern States. Political activists--United States. Poll tax--Southern States. Poll tax--Virginia. Rhetoric--Poltical aspects--Southern States--History--20th century. Socialism--United States. Socialists--United States--Correspondence. Southern States--Economic conditions. Southern States--Politics and government--1865-1950. Southern States--Politics and government--1950-. Southern States--Race relations. Suffrage--Southern States. United States--Politics and government--1919-1933. United States--Politics and government--1933-1945. United States--Politics and government--1945-1989. Virginia--Politics and government--1865-1950. Virginia--Politics and government--1951-. Whites--Southern States--Politics and government--20th century. Clippings. Ephemera. Photographs. Scrapbooks. George Washington Flowers Collection of Southern Americana. Contents of Collection Correspondence Series, 1922-1975 and undated (3 boxes)

Divided into Incoming and Political subgroupings. Incoming correspondence primarily consists of cards and personal letters from friends and family. While friends and colleagues in various political organizations discuss business matters in letters in this series, topics discussed are generally of a personal nature. A substantial number of letters are from men in the British armed forces, contacts apparently made while George was involved with the British Service Entertainment Committee in Richmond. The political correspondence contains letters to and from officials and their staff in the organizations with which George was involved through his life. Prominent national leaders with whom George corresponded include the socialist U.S. Congressmen Victor Berger and George M. Rhodes as well as Barry Goldwater, Estes Kefauer, and others. Substantial correspondence with Hubert Humphrey is also included. Additional notable national political figures include Norman Thomas, Upton Sinclair, Gardner Jackson, Arthur McDowell, Nelson Rockefeller, and George Wallace. In addition, George corresponded with a number of prominent Virginia politicians. Many of the letters in this section are testimonials to George's good character, though many also discuss specific political matters. Correspondence with staff and leaders of numerous labor and reform organizations complete the political letters subgrouping. Substantial additional correspondence can be found in the Subject Files Series and in the Personal Files Series. Materials are organized as received.

Incoming 1Cards, 1936-1974 and undated(5 folders) Letters, 1922-1975 and undated(1-3 of 5 folders) 2Letters, 1922-1975 and undated(4-5 of 5 folders) Political Berger, Victor, 1928 July-Dec. From Virginia legislators, 1925-1971(2 folders) McDowell, Art, 1962-1964 and undated McWilliams, Charles, 1962-1964 National political leaders, 1939-1965(2 folders) Republicans, 1964 June-Sept. Rhodes, George M., 1961 Jan.-Feb. Rockefeller, Nelson, 1962 Jan.-Nov. Sinclair, Upton, 1937-1939 Thomas, Norman, 1928-1939 Tuck, William, M., 1963 Sept.-Oct. 3Wallace, George C., 1963-1968 Subject Files Series, 1925-1973 and undated (6 boxes)

Contains files, clippings, and correspondence relevant to George's involvement with a number of interrelated causes and concerns, chiefly with Virginia politics. Included are materials concerning his races for seats in the Virginia House of Delegates in 1939 and 1941. George's work for political reform, particularly as founder of the Southern Electoral Reform League, is addressed primarily in the Electoral Reform subseries, though information on this topic can also be found in the subseries African American Virginians, and Elections. His interest in the labor movement in the United States and abroad is covered in the Labor subseries, with additional materials located in the Socialist Activites and War Production Board subseries. Researchers interested in the socialist movement in the South should consult materials in the Electoral Reform subseries as well as the Socialist Activites subseries. Papers in the African American Virginians subseries reveal George's complex views on race relations when coupled with materials in the Citizens Council subseries. Additional materials on this subject can be found in correspondence housed in the Personal Files series. George's work and interest in foreign relations can be found in the Foreign Affairs and British Service Entertainment Committee subseries. Substantial files and correspondence related to George's several-year foray into mineral prospecting can be found in the Mexico Mining Venture subseries. Organized alphabetically.

African American Virginians 3Black Richmond and Virginia leaders, 1933-1949 Civil Rights Committee of Richmond, 1949-1951 Negro voting, 1943-1948 Virginia politics--old info, 1940-1947 Voters' League, 1950-1961 British Service Entertainment Committee Correspondence, 1944 Sept.-1945 Feb. Hospitality lists-etc., 1944-1970 Loose materials, 1944 Oct. 11-17 Minutes and general, 1944 May-Nov. Photographs, [1944] Aug. 20-Sept. 10, undated(3 folders) Programs, [1944] Sept. 9-1945 Jan. 13(7 folders) Reams, Ellen Walsh, songwriter, 1943-1944 Suggestions to hosts and hostesses, [1944] Oct. 11 Treasury correspondence, 1944 Apr.-1945 Apr. Citizens' Council Correspondence and files, 1964 Sept. 15-1965 Jan. 3 Elections Campaign materials, 1941-1952(4 folders) Election statistics, 1928-1949(6 folders) Fourth District campaigns, 1945-1948 1939 George campaign, 1939-1941 41941 George campaign, 1941 Apr.-July Hart, James P., Jr., 1947 Itineraries, 1945 July Miller, Francis P., 1948 July-Dec. Plunkett, Moss A. campaign, 1945(3 folders) Plunkett, Moss A. campaign correspondence, 1945 July 12-29 Plunkett, W.C., 1945 July Political analyses, 1946-1953 Political correspondence, 1952-1953 Press releases, 1945 June-July Roosevelt Club, 1935 Aug.-Sept. Speeches, 1945 July-Aug. Welsted, I.C., 1945 July White, Randolph, 1945 July Williams, Martha, 1945 Electoral Reform Millis, Mary Raoul, 1935-1958 Poll Tax, 1937-1942 5Southern Electoral Reform League (SERL), 1940-1949(2 folders) SERL-Virginia Electoral Reform League (VERL)-Virginia Commonwealth League (VCL), etc., 1940-1949 Virginia Electoral Reform League, 1943-1944 VERL, VCL, etc., 1944-1950(2 folders) Foreign Affairs Cunard White Star, 1946-1948 English-Speaking Union, 1947-1948 Foreign office, etc., 1946 Aug.-Nov. Parcels--overseas, undated South Africa, 1963-1965 South Africa lists-materials, 1963-1965 South Africa Summary and Scope, 1937-1964 United States Information Service (USIS)--Embassy, 1946-1947 USIS Papers and Letters, 1962-1970 Labor Congress of Industrial Organizations Political Action Committee (CIO-PAC), 1962-1970 Detroit strikes, 1937 Edelman, John W., 1949-1963 Gabor, Robert, 1961-1962 Gilbert, David M., 1949 May-June Henderson--earmarked fund, 1960-1961 Henderson--Freedom Fighters Relief Committee (FFC) Materials, 1961-1962 6Henderson--FFC Reports, 1959-1962 International Union of Electrical, Radio, and Machine Workers, AFL-CIO, (IUE), 1963 Labor articles and papers, 1942-1961 Levy, Capt. Nathan, 1958 May-Aug. Lewis, Marx, 1962-1964 McCallister, Frank, 1941-1963(2 folders) McDowell, Arthur G., 1949 July 22-28 McGill, James H., 1942-1948 Textile Workers Union of America (TWUA), 1950-1961 Webber, Charles C., 1949 Mar.-May Mexico Mining Venture Agreements and contracts, 1954-1955 Assays etc., 1955 July-Oct. Barraza, Samuel, 1957-1961 Bernfeld, Cyril and Hollander, 1957-1958 Correspondence and papers, 1956-1962(2 folders) Contracts etc.--San Jose, 1955 El Dorado, 1957 Aug.-Sept. Evans, David L., 1957-1962(3 folders) Expense accounts and estimates, 1955-1956 7Gardea T., 1957-1958 Guerra Hardware Co., 1954-1956 Hofheimer, H.C., II, 1957-1962 Investment agreements, 1954-1955 Kashouty, Henry D., 1955-1956 Loeb, Carl M., Jr., 1955-1957 Maps and sketches, 1955, undated Memoranda, 1954-1957(2 folders) Mining and tax laws, 1956 Jan. 4 Miscellaneous--Breit-Fergusun-Amicus Most-Etc., 1957 Mar.-Oct. Outlying properties, 1955-1956 Prieto, Raphael, 1958-1959 Tinoco, Ing. Luis, 1956-1957 Trustees report etc., 1954 July-Aug. Von Schoech, Ann Shepard, etc., 1966-1973 Visa endorsements etc., 1937-1957 Socialist Activities Americans for Democratic Action, 1945-1947 Clippings, 1933-1945(2 folders) Correspondence and party materials, 1925-1934(2 folders) Germany etc., 1927-1939 New Leader, 1946-1949 8Pelman Institute, 1926 Dec. Photographs, 1935 Socialist organization papers, 1933-1965 War Production Board Cary, Hunson, 1942 Aug.-Oct. Endorsements, misc. letters, etc., 1937-1952 Memo--post-war trade, 1943 Apr. 28 War Production Board, 1934-1954 Personal Papers Series, 1925-1973 and undated (1 box)

Comprises papers and correspondence from George's early school years through his final years of life. Debate materials and schoolwork as well as materials related to George's high school reunions are housed in this series. The bulk of the materials relate to George's employment history, particularly his struggles to secure a job with the U.S. government in his later life after being labeled a Communist by the FBI. Copies of George's applications to the U.S. Information Agency and subsequent complaints of bias during required background checks are housed in this series. Additional correspondence on this subject can be found in the political correspondence section. Legal complaints relating to a reference to him as a "socialist" in the newspaper and for wrongful termination are included as well. Finally, correspondence in this series includes a number of letters of complaints about service received at various institutions late in his life. Organized alphabetically by folder title.

8Background--political, 1962 Sept.-Oct. Clippings, 1942-1974 Correspondence, 1968-1975 Draft records, 1940-1946 Early school years, 1925-1948 Employment file resource, 1962, undated Personal, 1943-1953 Personal, legal, and financial papers, 1925-1973 Personal references, 1934-1963 School reunions, 1963-1967 Special personal, 1943-1946 Visas to U.S., 1957-1963 8 Photographic Materials, 1926-1953 and undated (2 Folders)

Consists of photographs of George and members of his family, as well as some photographs of George with some of his political contacts. Notable examples include photos of Eleanor Roosevelt and Hubert Humphrey, as well as an autographed photo of country and labor singer "Texas" Bill Strength. A number of vacation slides are housed in this collection as well. Organized as received.

Printed Materials and Writings Series, 1937-1974 and undated (1 box)

Contains articles and drafts of articles written by George for newspapers and magazines as well as some scripts written for radio. Limited correspondence relating to George's attempts to get his work published in magazines is also included in this series. The majority of the articles in this series were written for Virginia newspapers, mainly the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Larger copies of and clippings from newspapers have been moved to Oversize Materials.

9Articles and letters to editors, 1962-1972, undated(2 folders) Barbaric Thugs--and British Workers, 1947 The Ebb and Flow of American Radicalism, undated Harper's article, 1947-1952 Lecture correspondence, 1946-1947 Letters to editors and response, 1947-1974 Magazine articles, 1949-1961 and undated Notes etc., 1964-1970 and undated Notes for speeches, undated Radio scripts and correspondence, 1948-1950 Richmond newspaper articles, 1937(2 folders) Where Will Hitler Stop?, undated Scrapbooks, Ledgers, and Political Ephemera Series, 1919-1960 and undated (3 boxes)

Contains membership and financial information in books for the Southern Electoral Reform League and Virginial Commonwealth League as well as a book of clippings and a scrapbook. The scrapbook chronicles the leisure aspects of George's travels to and within Britain. Menus and othe ephemera from the R.M.S. Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary ocean liners as well as numerous photographs of on-board friends are included, as are numerous photographs of George and his hosts in Brighton, Woking, Bournemouth, and London as well as Scotland. In addition, some photographs document the English countryside and a few show damage incurred in cities during World War II. The scrapbook includes numerous clippings, product packaging, and travel and attraction tickets as well. Political ephemera, mostly pins, includes delegate pins to a several national labor meetings and buttons for political candidates, among them George Wallace.

9Clippings book, 1919-1927 10Receipt book for Virginia Commonwealth League, 1946 May-1950 May Financial ledger for Southern Electoral Reform League, 1940 Mar. 16-1942 Apr. 30 Political Ephemera, 1947-1960 and undated(3 small boxes) 11Scrapbook, 1946-1947 Oversize Materials, 1927-1967 (1 box)

Comprises large items from other series. Numerous newspapers and large clippings related to elections and contemporary events, notably German aggression during the leadup to World War II are included. In addition, the bulk of the original copies of George's newspaper articles from the Printed Material and Writings series are housed in Oversize Materials. German language lesson worksheets completed by George via correspondence with the Pelman Institute are included as well.

Subject Files 12British Service Entertainment Committee, 1946 Elections, Election statistics, 1933 George campaign, 1941 Plunkett, Moss A. campaign, 1945 Socialist Activities Clippings Germany etc, 1927-1939 and undated(2 folders) Personal Files Clippings, 1946 School reunion, 1967 Printed Materials and Writings Newspapers and clippings, 1934-1937(2 folders)